Having consummated a major five-player trade, notably netting a new shortstop and leadoff hitter in Jean Segura, Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto did not figure to be particularly active at baseball's annual Winter Meetings -- and wasn't. His most notable move during the three-day confab at Oxon Hill, MD., was the acquisition of RHP Chris Heston, a former starter expected to compete for a back-of-the rotation job.

The Seahawks Tuesday placed S Earl Thomas on injured reserve (out for the season), brought back S Jeron Johnson to provide secondary depth, signed FB Marcel Reece, and made room for the former University of Washington receiver by waiving RB George Farmer.

Lou Piniella, who managed 23 seasons in the major leagues, including 10 with the Mariners, missed out on a chance to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame Sunday. But Bud Selig, who as an owner yanked Seattle's first MLB franchise, the Pilots, out of town in 1970, did make it as commissioner emeritus. Selig and Atlanta executive John Schuerholz were the only two elected among 10 candidates.

The Mariners Saturday signed free e3 agent LHP Marc Rzepczynski -- nicknamed "Scrabble" -- to a two-year contract worth a reported $5.5 million per season and also agreed to terms with free agent RHP Casey Fien. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club designated for assignment LHP Dean Kiekhefer and RHP Zach Lee.

The Mariners Thursday outrighted to AAA Tacoma switch-handed pitcher Pat Venditte, who had been designated for assignment Nov. 23. Also, according to multiple reports, the club is on the verge, pending a physical exam, of signing free agent Marc Rzepczynski, who would fill a need for left-handed relief help.

Ever-busy Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto busted another move Monday, bailing on former first-round draft pick OF Alex Jackson, twice the organization's top-rated prospect, in favor of two young right-handed pitchers from the Atlanta Braves.

The Chicago Cubs Friday claimed LHP David Rollins, 27, off waivers from the Mariners, who also requested unconditional release waivers on INF/OF Stefen Romero. The departures of Rollins and Romero leave the Mariners with 35 players on their 40-man major league roster.

The Mariners Saturday acquired 32-year-old INF/OF Danny Valencia from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league RHP Paul Blackburn. Valencia hit .287 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs in 130 games last season while playing all corner positions (first base, third, left field, right). Valencia said on a conference call Saturday afternoon that he was told he will play first base and some right field for Seattle.

The Mariners made it official Monday afternoon, announcing they have acquired veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for lefty reliever Vidal Nuno. Disclosure of the deal, rumored since late Sunday, was reportedly held up while the clubs evaluated the medical histories of the players.

The Mariners continued to mine the waiver wire Friday, claiming 27-year-old lefty reliever Dean Kiekhefer from the St. Louis Cardinals, a move that places the 40-man major league roster at 36 players. Kiekhefer had five stints with the Cardinals last season after making his MLB debut May 14 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Mariners Thursday exercised their 2017 option on OF Steve Smith but declined to pick up same on C Chris Iannetta, making him a free agent. With OF Franklin Gutierrez, 1B/DH Dae-Ho Lee, 1B/DH Adam Lind and RHP Drew Storen also officially becoming free agents Thursday, Seattle's 40-man roster now includes 35 players.

The Mariners Monday provided updates on three players who have undergone recent medical procedures, including Taijuan Walker, the 24-year-old right hander who went 8-11, 4.22 in 25 starts during the 2016 season and figures prominently in the team's rotation plans.

Festooned with miracle wins and horrible losses, the Mariners' 2016 season was all over the place -- except in the playoffs. For all the injuries countered by unanticipated successes (Edwin Diaz, closer at 22?!), they wound up exactly where new general manager Jerry Dipoto forecasted in January -- 86 wins. And out of the playoffs.

The Baseball Hall of Fame Tuesday announced that five former players, three executives and two managers are candidates on the "Today's Game Era" ballot and will be considered for induction into Cooperstown as part of the Class of 2017. The vote will take place at the winter meetings at National Harbor, MD, Dec. 5. Among the 10: Lou Piniella, who managed the Mariners from 1993-02, winning a franchise-record 840 games.

The Mariners’ first meaningless game of the season resulted in a 3-2 loss to Oakland Sunday afternoon that finished off the 2016 season with an 86-76 record after two consecutive losses to the A’s. Starter Felix Hernandez struggled in his three-inning performance, while Seattle’s watered-down lineup couldn’t get help from stars 2B Robinson Cano and 3Kyle Seager (a combined 0-for-8).

Thank you! Art Thiel and Steve Rudman

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